Fuel supply and control apparatus for gasoline stoves



April 12, 1932.

C. F. LAMBERT FUEL SUPPLY AND CONTROL APPARATUS FOR GASOLINE STOVES Filed Oct. 13, 1927 INVENTOR, (la/d9; 7/ J made/ 2" 3% ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 12, 1932 Umrd PATENT 1FFicEY CHARLES n. L MBEnn'oF enossn roriv'rn, MICHIGAN, nssrelvonfnv MESNE Assrenivinnrs, To CLAYTON a LAMBERT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, or nn-rnorr, MICHI- GAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE FUEL SUPPLY AND ooN'rnoL ArrAnA'rns non GASOLINE s'rovEs Application filed October 13,1927. Serial No. 225,866.

This invention relates to fuel supply and control apparatusfor gasoline stoves and has to do particularly with the provision of novel safety control means for insur ng positive safety at all times in liquid fuel burning fuel burners for gasoline and kerosene stoves 1 10 it has been the practice to utilize a suitable pressure tank forthe gasoline supply', a suitable generator to which heat 1s applied for vaporizing the raw gasoline, and a mixing chamber ancl manifold for mixing and conducting the vaporized combustible fuel to the burner or burners. l/Vhile gasoline stoves of this general type have rapidly increased in the last few years in their commercial use and have been materially improved as to design and operation, yet they have all presented the danger of fire, in that the manifold of the different types of stoves has frequently become flooded, the gasoline'or other liquid fuel dripping out atvarious point-s and over the bottom of the stove to present a very SQI'l ous fire hazard. This flooding of the manifold is usually due to an inexperienced or careless operator in initially starting up the generating apparatus, but it may also be the fault of'the stove. This flooding of the manifold is also especially inherent in that type of stove requiring a relatively long time to preheat the raw fuel for starting initial generation. 7 It is the object of the present invention to provide a liquid fuel control apparatus for burners of the type adapted for gasoline stoves which positively eliminates all' fire hazard, flooding of the manifold and wasting of liquid fuel. This novel device may be used in connection with liquid fuel burners of either the type wherein the generator is preheated by an open flame, or where the generator is initially heated by means of a blast.

More specifically, the present invention has 1 to 'do withthe provision of a combined generator, mixing chamber and manifold so' constructed as to positively prevent the conduction'of any raw or liquid fuel to the burner or burners, the rawfuel, if any, being conducted backto the fuel pan preferably positioned beneath the generator. In case more liquid fuel escapes from the generator than isnecessary to fill the fuel pan, then I have provided meansvfor conducting such a' overflow of liquid fuel to an independent contamer, suitably positioned at the front or other place, adjacent the stove, and provided with a danger. float adapted to be raised ormoved into danger signal position upon the conducting of the overflow liquid fuel thereto.

This danger indicating valve is preferably so positioned whereby the operator of the stove Wlll be notified to close the fuel supply valve.

However,'if such supply fuel valve is not closed I have provided an additionalindependent container of av capacity equal to or greater than the capacity of the main fuel supply container whereby all the liquid fuel [may be drained off into an independent container and thus positively prevent'any flooding or'escape of raw liquid fuel;

In the drawingIhave shown'a vertical transverse section through a gasoline stove embodying the features'of my invention and illustrating one manner of positioning the danger indicating container; and the auxiliary container relative to the general burner'structure of the stove.

It will be understood that inthe embodiment of my invention, as is well illustrated in the drawing, the excess fuel control apparatus may be utilized in connection with any suitable generator and burner structure,

and any suitable stove structure or any other structure of a similar nature utilizing burner structure and operating with vaporized fuel. The. invention is particularly adapted, however, to gasoline stove structures of a type whereinthe fuel supply tank is relatively small and of the pressure type, and having a generating tube adapted to be positioned adiacent a fuel pan.

In the particular embodiment shown in the drawing I have shown a stove casing of somewhat standard construction which may be generally designated 1. Any number of burners of course may be provided,but in the particular drz'iwing I have shown a burner 2 which derives its combustible fuel from a suitable manifold 3. This manifold 3 may be of any suitable construction, and in the present embodiment it is provided with a suitable portion 4 which is positioned and extends upwardly from the mixing conduit.

The mixing conduit may be generally designated 5 andis provided with a suitable inlet orifice 6. A suitable inlet orifice 'l and generator tube 8' is shown as being positioned in alignment with the orifice 6, the outlet end or the jet block of the tube projecting into the inlet orifice or aperture 7. A suitable auxiliary burner 9, shown in dotted lines, is provided for continuously heating, the generator tube. Such auxiliary burner may form a part of the burner 92 or may be aseparate burner deriving its fuel from the manifold The generator tube may be initially heated, or what is known as preheated by a suitable fuel pan 10 which is, in the presentinstance,stationarily positioned beneath and adjacent the end of the generator tube. The fuel par-r10 is connected with the mixing conduit 5 by an integral wall 11 which gradual- 1y slopes from the outlet orifice 6 downwardly to the fuel pan 10. A suitable baffle 12 may be arranged in the manifold in alignment with the outlet orifice 6, whereby to direct any liquid fuel which may be directed into the manifold back into the fuel pan 10 by way of the sloping wall 11. To properly fill tie fuel pan 10 and to assist in the preheating of the generator tube, a blast defiector may be utilized, and in the present embodiment I have shown a suitable deflector 13, which may be pivoted about a horizontal axis 14 whereby it can be swung vertically into position in front of the generator 8. If initially swung in front of the generator 8 before the inlet valve 15 is opened, the liquid fuel will be deflected into the fuel pan 10, and when such liquid fuel is ignited to slightly heat the generator 8, the generated gas issuing from such generator will strike the deflector 13 and will be directed backwardly in the form of a blast of flame against the generator to accelerate the preheating. Iflhe fuel pan 10 has already been filled, the deflector 13. acts only as ablast deflector.

The fuel pan 10 is preferably the lowest positioned member of the generating apparatus, and preferably positioned, directly beneath the fuel pan 10 is an overflow receptacle 16. In the present showing, the fuel pan is provided with a suitable outlet 17 where by if any liquid fuel overflows from the fuel pan 10, it will flow through the outlet 17 and will be conducted directly into the overflow receptacle 16. However, it will be understood that such overflow outlet 17 will not always be necessary as the overflow receptacle 16 may be of any size and may, if desired, be of such size as to extend beneath the fuel pan 10 and the mixing chamber 5. he overflow receptacle 16 is shown as forming a part of the manifold casting, as at 17a, but it will be understood that it may be of any design and may be supported in conformity with the particular design of the stove or burner structure, the main point being that it is positioned beneath such parts of the generating structure and mixing conduit as to positively receive any overflow of liquid fuel.

Leading from the overflow receptacle 16 are one or more conduits 18 adapted to conduct any liquid from the receptacle 16 to a separate container tank which may be generally designated 19. This tank 19 may be of any suitable construction and may be cured to or positioned adjacent any convenient part of the stove. The separate container tank 19 is preferably of limited capacity, and is provided with a suitable float QOhaving a suitable danger signal 21 which may be observed through a suitable glass covering 22 secured to the top part of the tank 1 9. A suitable overflow conduit 23 may positioned on the tank 19 whereby when the level of' the liquid in the tank 19 has reached-a certain point it will overflow through this conduit into a suitable container 24'. This container 24 is preferably of a size approximately equal to the size of the main container for the stove, whereby if for any reason the fuel should continue to drain from the main fuel supply it will entirely drain out to be received by the container 24. This main container may be designated 25 and is shown as being positioned adjacent a suitable inlet valve 26 for the generator tube 8. This main fuel supply tank 25 may be positioned any place as desired, and is preferably provided with a suitable pressure pump whereby to maintain the gasoline or other liquid fuel under pressure. is also preferably small, as the one filling of gasolineor similar'fuel will be sufficient for a long period of operation. The overflow tank 19 is preferably provided with a suitable outlet plug 27, the same being true of the tank 24:, whereby the gasoline or other fuel may be recovered.

In the normal operation of a liquid fuel stove of this type, the deflector 13 will be positioned, as shown, and the valve 15 temporarily turned to allow a small amount of fuel under pressure to be deflected into the pan 10. This liquid fuel will then be ignited to initially preheat the generator 8, and the vaporized fuel from the tube 8 will be projected against the deflector 13 and redirected in the form of flames against the generator tube 8. When the fuel in the tube 8 has been sufi'iciently vaporized, the deflector 13 may be moved to one side, the valve 15 opened and the burner 2 ignited, generation being maintained by any suitable heating means. If, however, the operator, should initially open the valve 15 to fill the fuel pan 10 and should go away and forget to turn the valve 15 off,

This main supply tank 4 tinuing fiow of this gasoline will cause such fuel pan 10 to overflow, and in such instances the liquid fuel will'overflow into the receptacle 16 and down into the overflow tank 19. Continued overflow of the liquid will soon raise the float 20 whereby the danger signal 21 will raise and will be readily apparent through the glasscover 2'3, whereby it will attract the attention of the operator, indicaing that the gasoline or other fuel has overflowed making it necessary to close the valve 15 and/or properly" start the stove again. If, however, the operat'or'failsto notice the I danger signalf21 and the gasoline continues to flow, such surplus of gasoline will overflow into the second tank 24: until all the gasoline has drained from the main tank 25.

It will be understood that the overflowing of the fluid of the stove may be caused in many difi'erent ways, but it will be obvious that regardless of the manner of flooding that such oversupply of liquid fuel will be safely and positively conducted, first, to a danger indicatingtank, and second to a reservoir tank having capacity equal to or greater than the main supply tank. It will further be understood that the danger indicating tank may be of any design or construction and that instead of presenting a danger signal it may operate any suitable system, either 7 electrical or mechanical to release the pressure on the tank 25, or otherwise prevent the flow of gasoline.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a novel device which is very inexpensive, simple and compact in construction, and which positively eliminates any fire hazard due to improper vaporization or overflowing of the raw or liquid fuel from the generating or burner apparatus. The device is not only positive in operation but is extremely simple and efficient in operation.

It will further be obvious that the device, while positively eliminating all danger of fire, at the same time permits quick starting of the generating apparatus, because if the operator notices the overflowv of liquid fuel, or is notified by the danger signal, if the valve 15 is on, it may be turned oif, and on account of the wall 11 the drip pan 10 will be left partially filled with liquid fuel whereby the generator tube may be preheated without in any way disturbing the overflow gasoline in either one of the containers. In other words, as long as there is gasoline in the main supply tank the generating apparatus and the stove may be immediately started without A having to wait to drain or vdry out any part underneath said generating apparatus for tion a main supply reservoir for the liquid cating means.

of the stove structure. Gasoline in either one or both of the overflow containers may be drained out and used as desired.

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim is: i

1. A stove structure of the liquid fuel type comprising in combination, a main supply tank for the liquid fuel, generatingapparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel, a conduit for conducting the combustible fuel to the burner, a container with a visible indicating I float, an auxiliary tank connected to said container and means including a priming cup-carried by said conduit and extending conducting any unvaporized liquid fuelother than a suflicient amount in said cup to start said generating apparatus to said container to actuate the float and then to said auxiliary tank; r V

2. A stove structure of the liquid'fuel type comprising in combination, a main supply tank for the liquid fuel, generating apparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel, means positioned adjacent the generating apparatus for receiving any overflow of liquid fuel, auxiliary means for receiving and indicating the overflow of a predetermined amount of liquid fuel, and an auxiliary tank of substantially the capacity of said main supply tank for receiving additional liquid fuel to prevent flooding of any part of the stove structure.

3. Stove structure, or the like, of'the type utilizing liquid fuel, comprising in combinafuel, spaced means for vaporizing and conducting fuel to the stove burner or burners,

'an auxiliary reservoir provided with visible indicating means actuated by overflow liquid fuel, and means leading to said auxiliary reservoir for conducting away any unvaporized fuel from the space between said vaporizing and conducting means to actuate saidi'ndi-.

'4. Stove structure or the like, of the type utilizing liquid fuel, comprising in combination a main supply reservoir for the liquid fuel, a generator for receiving liquid fuel from said reservoir. burner structure, deflecting means positioned between the generator and burner, a priming pan beneath'the generator, an auxiliary tank provided with a visible float, and an overflow receptacle positioned beneath said generator and priming pan for conducting any unvaporized fuel to said tank to actuate said float. V

V 5. Stove structure or the like, of the type utilizing liquid fuel, comprising in combination a main supply reservoir for the liquid fuel, a generator for receiving'liquid fuel from said reservoir, a burner, deflecting means positioned between the generator and burner, a priming pan beneath the generator,

an auxiliary tank provided with a visible indicating float, an overflow receptacle positioned beneath said burner structure and below said generator for conducting any unvaporized fuel to said tank to actuate said heat, and second auxiliary tank positioned to receive additional fuel. from said main supply rcservoir,if necessary, after the actuation of said float.

6. A stove structure or the like, of the type utilizing liquid fuel, comprising in combination a main supply reservoir, for the liquid fuel, a generator'for receiving liquid fuel from said reservoir and for vaporizing said fuel for use in a burner, a conduit spaced from the end of said generator for conducting vaporized fuel to said burner, a portion of said conduit extending below the end of said generator and serving as a priming pan, means in said conduit for preventing the passage of liquid fuel therethrough whereby any liquid fuel entering said conduit will be received by said priming pan, a deflector positioned between said generator and said conduit for initially deflecting liquid fuel and a flame blast to accelerate starting,an auxiliary tank positioned at the front of the stove and provided with visible indicating means, and means positioned beneath said priming pan whereby to receive any liquid fuel overflowing from said priming pan and to conduct the same to said auxiliary tank to raise the float to a visible position.

7. Stove structure or the like, of the type utilizing liquid fuel, comprising in combination a main supply reservoir for the liquid fuel, generating and mixing apparatus for normally vaporizing and mixing the vaporized fuel, a manifold in alignment with said generating apparatus for conducting liquid fuel towards the burner, means in said manifold for preventing the passage of any liquid fuel therethrough and for returning any said liquid fuel to the entrance of said manifold, tin-auxiliary reservoir provided with visible indicating means positioned adjacent said main reservoir and the inlet end of said generating apparatus, and means for receiving any liquid fuel from the inlet end of said manifold and conducting the same to said auxiliary reservoir to actuate said indicating means.

8.. Stove structure or the like, of the type utilizingliquid fuel, comprising in combination a main supply tank for the liquidfuel, burner structure forming part of the stove structure, and including a generator tube provided with a control valve at its inlet end and secured to said tank at said inlet end, a manifold conduit spaced from the end of the generator, a separate tank of substantially the same capacity as said main tank and provided with visible indicating means positioned adjacent said main tank and said generator tube control valve, and means having a portion spaced beneath said generator and the-space between the generator and said conduit for directly conductingany and all liquid fuel issuing from said generator to said separate tank for actuating said indicating means.

9.. A stove structure of the liquid fuel type comprising in combination a main supply tank for the liquid fuel, generating apparatus for vaporizing liquid fuel, a fuel conducting conduit in alignment with and spaced from the generating apparatus to form a mixing chamber, an auxiliary tank substantially equal in capacity to said main supply tank, a priming cup extending from said conduit to a point beneath the generator, and means having a portion thereof positioned in alignment with said generating apparatus and conduit and beyond the end of said generating apparatus for deflecting and conducting away any and all overflow liquid fuel to said priming cup and then to said auxiliary tank.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

CHARLES F. LAMBERT. 

